The appointment of a creationist, Benedito Guimarães Aguiar Neto, by President Jair Bolsonaro to head a higher education department known as CAPES has dismayed the Brazillian scientific community.
Scientists are challenging the appointment of a creationist to head a scientific field. They argue that he may use his beliefs to implement policies that are contrary to science.
The controversy surrounding the appointment of a creationist
The appointment of a creationist is taken by the scientists as an encroachment of the region on science and education policy. Neto is a rector of Mackenzie Presbyterian University, a private religious school in Brazil that advances the study and teaching of intelligent design (ID).
ID focuses on the biblical creationism and argues that life on earth is very complex to have just happened following Darwinian evolution. They argue that a supernatural being designed and created the entire universe and life here on earth. Although Nato is an electrical engineer by training, he has indicated his bias in favor of intelligent design over evolution theory. Thus, their fear of the appointment of a creationist is valid.
Biologist Antonio Carlos Marques faulted of the University of São Paulo’s Institute of Biosciences faulted the move saying,
It is completely illogical to place someone who has promoted actions contrary to scientific consensus in a position to manage programs that are essentially of scientific training.
CAPES responsible for all graduate-level programs
CAPES is a strong agency within the higher education system and is responsible for shaping the science-policy of the country. They are also responsible for regulating and supervising all graduate-level programs in Brazillian universities. Scholarships for masters and doctoral students also fall within the department.
Scientists’ main worry about the appointment of a creationist is that his personal views will affect his judgment and institute a policy geared towards creationism. An MPU press release confirmed the scientists’ worry where Neto was quoted as saying intelligent design should be introduced in universities.
The CAPES appointee argued that creationism would provide a counterpoint to the theory of evolution. He continued by arguing that the logic was to have creationism that would be supported by “scientific arguments” something that put the scientific community on edge on what the future holds for them.
The debate between scientists and creationists has been ongoing ever since Charles Darwin published his theory in 1859. The scientific evidence is clear: The Earth is about 4.5 billion years old, and all life evolved from primitive, single-celled organisms. Nevertheless, Biblical literalists reject this evidence and operate from the viewpoint that the Bible’s Book of Genesis is a historical account of creation.
Should the appointment of a creationist to the CAPES post cause enough concern for Brazilian scientists? We are interested to see your comment below.
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